Raleigh Public Record (https://theraleighcommons.org/raleighpublicrecord/tag/commission/)
The General Assembly has just adjourned what could be one of the most evocative sessions in recent history. With tensions running high inside and outside the chamber doors, several laws were passed with broad implications for the future of Raleigh.
In a neck-and-neck race, incumbent Betty Lou Ward and newcomer Caroline Sullivan beat out their challengers for seats on the Wake County Board. Voters also approved the Wake Technical Community College bond.
In a joint meeting with Wake County commissioners and Raleigh city councilors, they approved a financial plan for dealing with hotel and prepared food taxes.
Veda Renfrow, a subcontractor for Wake County, said she was fired, presumably for being a lesbian. County officials say she acted unprofessionally after the County Commission voted to support Amendment One.
With redrawn NC districts and a strong Republican top of the ticket at the state level, 2012 looks to be a good year for Republicans. Five out of eight Wake County Republicans are hoping to rise with the ship.
Wake County Commissioners endorsed the Sustainability Task Force report Monday, but continued to consider creating a property rights council.
A $61,000 grant for Communities in Schools has been put on hold, a joint venture with Durham County was approved, and Raleigh is getting some money for emergency services.
Wake County Commissioners approved the $952.1 million budget Monday for the 2011-12 fiscal year. Commissioners also approved the appointment of City Councilor Erv Portman to the District 4 seat vacated by Stan Norwalk.
Wake County Commissioners and school board members played a little power tug-of-war last week over the spending of county dollars in education. Commissioners voted last year to request a “purpose and function” breakdown of the school system’s 2011-12 budget. But when school officials made their formal appropriation request to Commissioners in mid-May, they asked for the budget in a lump sum.
Wake County Commissioners have informally agreed to restore more than $600,000 in cuts in the county manager’s proposed budget. Although more than half that money will be given to non-profits, commissioners say the allocations are a “soft landing” as they wean programs off county funding.
